Lauderhill on Edge After Teen Boy Shot: Police Still Searching for Gunman

A quiet Lauderhill neighborhood was jolted awake early Saturday morning by the sound of gunshots — a scene that would leave a 15-year-old boy critically wounded and an entire community searching for answers.

Early Morning Shooting Shocks Residents

Just before sunrise, around 5 a.m., police received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire near Northwest 59th Avenue and Northwest 21st Street. When officers arrived, they found a teenage boy suffering from several gunshot wounds.

The teen was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center and is now listed in critical but stable condition. Authorities have not released his name, and as of now, the circumstances surrounding the shooting — including whether the victim knew his attacker — remain unclear.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard something to come forward. So far, no arrests have been made, and no suspect description has been provided.

A Community’s Cry for Peace

What makes this shooting especially heartbreaking is its timing. Just hours later, community members gathered for a “walk for peace” — an event organized long before the shooting, but one that suddenly felt much more urgent.

Chief Constance Stanley of the Lauderhill Police Department addressed the community at the peace walk, expressing frustration and sadness.

“This is exactly why we’re here today. We’re trying to stop this kind of violence before it takes another life,” she said.

She also pointed out one of the toughest challenges in these investigations: getting young people to talk.

“Juveniles are hesitant to speak with law enforcement, even when they witness a crime. That makes it harder for us to find the people responsible,” she added.

New Tech Aims to Catch Gunfire Faster

In an effort to get ahead of the violence, Lauderhill has recently started using ShotSpotter technology — a network of high-tech sensors that can detect gunfire in real time and instantly alert police.

It’s already changing how police respond. In many cases, the system picks up shots that residents don’t even report. According to Chief Stanley, this shows how often gun violence is going unreported in the community — either due to fear, mistrust, or simply becoming numb to the sound of gunfire.

The hope is that this technology, paired with stronger community ties, can help police catch shooters faster and maybe even prevent future attacks.

Gun Violence on the Rise

Sadly, this shooting is not an isolated case. Gun violence in Lauderhill has been on the rise over the past decade. According to state data, firearm-related crimes in the area have more than doubled since 2010.

The city, like many others across the country, is struggling with how to address this trend. Community leaders say the root causes run deep — poverty, lack of opportunities, unstable home lives — and solving the problem will take more than just arrests and technology.

Working Together for a Safer Future

City officials say the answer lies in both enforcement and prevention. That includes better policing, but also investing in youth programs, mentorship, and mental health support.

Commissioner Melissa Dunn said the city is actively trying to meet the needs of its young people.

“When we talk to kids in our schools, the number one thing they’re asking for is a mentor. They want someone to guide them, to talk to, to help them make better choices,” she said.

The peace walk on Saturday was just one step in that direction. Residents marched together, holding signs and candles, calling for an end to the violence that’s taken too many young lives.

What Happens Next?

Right now, the focus remains on finding the person who pulled the trigger. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them. If you want to stay anonymous, you can leave a tip with Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

As the injured teen continues to fight for his life in the hospital, his family — and the city of Lauderhill — wait for justice.